Beloved professor who inspired students, rejuvinated community radio in Stockton to retire
The end of the 2016 school year at Delta College marks the end of an era: Professor William Story will be retiring.
Story graduated from Delta College’s Broadcasting and Journalism program in 1979, but as new digital technologies emerged in the 1990s he decided to go back to school to learn more.
“I was a bit too successful at learning,” he said. “I was asked to take over as the teacher.”
Story returned to Delta College in 2006 where he has taught classes in radio, television and film ever since.
In addition to teaching, Story has been the driving force behind Delta College’s radio station, KWDC-LP.
During his first semester on the Delta staff he assembled an FM radio transmitter for the students to broadcast on. This would ultimately lead to the desire for Delta to have a legitimate FCC licensed radio station.
The process of establishing Delta’s radio station was arduous and time-consuming. “Almost all of the challenges I accepted and endured were undertaken on behalf of providing Delta’s RTV students with the best possible opportunities,” he said. “This challenge was faced, met and it seems the challenge that led to my Delta demise.”
Story sacrificed a significant portion of his salary, taking a yearlong sabbatical in order to work on securing a radio station for Delta.
“Most faculty returning from a sabbatical come back rested and rejuvenated. I came back depleted and somewhat daunted by the larger challenge of operating a radio station full-time while still serving as a full-time teacher,” he said.
With “Governor” Don Maszewski and Marc Itliong currently acting as station managers, Story feels like the time is right for a change.
“I suppose because I feel I’m much better at creating electronic media content and working in the electronic media entertainment field than I am at teaching it, this is one of the reasons for my so-called retirement,” he said. “I’m going back to being an electronic media creator. I’ll miss the students but now seems like the best time to accept the challenge of doing what I excel at and pursuing my strengths.”
Story credits his mentor, former Delta College Broadcasting professor David Steele, with helping him to develop those strengths.
Steele influenced his venture into the world of media over 30 years ago, just as Story has influenced members of Delta’s RTV program for the past decade.
“I’m proud to be an alumnus of the [RTV] program and it was an honor to be the leader of the program for the past 10 years,” said Story.